Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Victoria B.C. Canada
Thanked 106 Times in 97 Posts
Rep Power: 9
An aquaintance once worked in an industrial shop that was heated by a diesel stove. It went out and he was slow to relight it. The fumes blew both the stove top and him through a wall. He survived but came to respect diesel more. All fuels are dangerous otherwise they woundn't be fuel. The opinion of alcohol as safe is very wrong. It's been known that when water is poured on the fire the fire just moves farther away - so it can be dangerous as well. It also stinks, is expensive, and is very slow. I've had primus type kerosene stoves that were certainly hot but a pain with preheating. Diesel like a Dickinson stove is great in a cooler climate as it heats the boat and the hot water tank as well. The fisherman up here used to say they'd start the stove at the beginning of the season and run it all year. If it got too hot they would just open the door. Electric is reserved for generator equipped power yachts mostly and they can have them as far as I'm concerned. That leaves propane and it is the most convenient, easiest to use, and affordable fuel I've ever used. Like all fuels it requires a proper installation and respect. It's also available worldwide more easily than some other fuels.
Living aboard in Victoria Harbour